Hinge



A. R. BAER Sept. 24, 1968 HINGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1965 INVENTOR Austin R. Boer BY MW ATTORNEYS Sept. 24, 1968 2 A. R. BAER 3,402,422

Filed Dec. 10, 1965 a Sheets-Shed 2 INVENTOR Ausrin R. Boer ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,402,422 HINGE Austin R. Baer, RED. 2, Moscow, Pa. 18444 Filed Dec. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 513,004 7 Claims. (Cl. 16163) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The most common type of hinge structure in general use comprises two mutually rotatable hinge members or leaves the adjacent longitudinal edges of which are formed with laterally extending knuckles or eye-like portions, the knuckles of one hinge member being interleaved with the knuckles of the other hinge member and being rotatably joined together by a longitudinally dis- I posed pin that extends through the eye-like knuckles of the hinge members. Because of the interleaving of the laterally extending knuckles of the two hinge members, it is an inherent characteristic of this conventional hinge structure that the two hinge members cannot be displaced longitudinally with respect to each other.

Another less common type of hinge structure comprises two longitudinally extending hinge members that are rotatably joined together along adjacent longitudinal edges either directly or by means of a longitudinal connector member which rotatably engages thehinge members adjacent the said longitudinal edges thereof. The two hinge members are not normally provided with lateral extending interleaved elements (such as the laterally extending interleaved knuckles of the aforementioned conventional hinge structure) so that the hinge members are normally longitudinally movable with respect to each other. This general type of hinge structure is exemplified by, but by no means is limited to, the hinge disclosed in my U.S. Patent 3,092,870, dated June 11, 1963.

The present invention relates to an improvement in the last mentioned type of hinge structure wherein two longitudinally extending hinge members are rotatably joined along adjacent longitudinal edges thereof and are normally longitudinally movable with respect to each other. My improvement in this pinless hinge construction comprises providing longitudinal thrust bearing means engaging the adjacent longitudinal edges of the said hinge members, the bearing means being adapted to prevent longitudinal movement of the hinge members with respect to each other. The longitudinal thrust bearing means-comprises an essentially solid bearing member disposed in longitudinally co-extensive recesses formed in the adjacent longitudinal edges of each rotatable hinge member. The bearing member is provided with upper and lower bearing surfaces, and the longitudinal dimensions of the bearing member and the two recesses in which the bearing member is disposed are such that the upper and lower surfaces of the recesses slidably contact the upper and lower bearing surfaces of the bearing member disposed therein, whereby longitudinal movement of one hinge member with respect to the other hinge member is substantially prevented. The two hinge members are usually joined together by a longitudinally extending hinge conice nector member which rotatably engages the hinge members adjacent the said longitudinal edges thereof. In this case the bearing member advantageously has a cross-sectional configuration that conforms generally to the crosssectional configuration of the interior of the longitudinal hinge connector member, the bearing member being formed with a longitudinally extending passageway through which extends at least a portion of the said longitudinal hinge connector member.

The improved hinge structure of my invention will be better understood from the following detailed description thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an advantageous form of the longitudinal thrust bearing means of my invention as applied to the hinge structure of U.S. Patent 3,092,870,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 22 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bearing member employed in the embodiment of my invention shown in FIG. 1,

FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c are sectional views similar to FIG. 3 showing various means for securing the bearing member to the hinge connector member of my hinge structure,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of longitudinal thrust bearing of my invention,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing the bearing member of FIG. 6 in position in the hinge structure,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a hinge structure showing a modified form of the thrust bearing member of FIG. 6 about to be inserted in a slot-like recess formed in the intermeshed hinge members,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8 showing the assembled hinge structure,

FIG. 10 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view showing a somewhat diiferent three-piece hinge structure embodying the improvement of my invention,

FIG. 11 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of a two-piece hinge structure embodying the improvement of my invention, and

FIG. 12 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of another modification of my invention.

An advantageous embodiment of the general type of binge structure to which my invention is applicable is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing. The hinge structure comprises a first longitudinal hinge member 11, a second longitudinal hinge member 12 that is rotatably joined to the first hinge member along adjacent longitudinal edges of the two hinge members, and longitudinally extending hinge connector member 13 that rotatably engages the two hinge members along the adjacent longitudinal edges thereof. The first hinge member 11 is formed with a longitudinally extending gear segment portion 15, and the second hinge member 12 is similarly formed with a longitudinally extending gear segment portion 16, the gear teeth of which gear segment portions intermesh as clearly shown in the drawing. The gear segment portions 15 and 16 of the two hinge members are formed with longitudinally extending cylindrical bearing surfaces 17 and 18, respectively, which coincide with the axes of rotation of the respective gear segment portions. The longitudinally extending hinge connector member 13 has a generally channel-shaped or C-shaped cross-section the inwardly turned ends of which are formed with longitudinally extending rod-like bearing portions 20 and 21 which contact the cylindrical bearing surfaces 17 and 18 at the axis of rotation of each hinge member. Although the three elements or members Which comprise the hinge structure shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are longitudinally firmly interconnected by the longitudinal engagement of the teeth of the gear segment portions and 16 and by the longitudinal engagement of the rod-like bearing portions 20 and 21 with the cylindrical bearing surfaces 17 and 18, the three members are not in any way laterally interconnected. As a result there is nothing, apart from friction, to prevent relative longitudinal movement in three members with respect to each other.

vTo prevent unwanted relative longitudinal movement of the three main members of the hinge structure I provide a longitudinal thrust bearing member 23 that is disposed in longitudinally coextensive lateral recesses 24 and 25 formed in the adjacent longitudinal edges of each of the rotatable hinge members 11 and 12. The bearing member 23 is provided with upper and lower bearing surfaces 26 and 27 against which bearing surfaces the upper and lower surfaces of the recesses 24 and 25 are adapted to slidably bear when the bearing member 23 is disposed therein. That is to say, the longitudinal dimensions of the recesses 24 and 25 formed in the adjacent longitudinal edges of the hinge members 11 and 12 and the longitudinal dimension of the bearing member 23- disposed therein are such that the bearing member 23 can be readily placed in the recesses 24 and 25 with just surficient clearance between the facing surfaces of the recesses and the bearing member to permit the hinge members 11 and 12 to be swung or rotated without binding on the bearing member 23. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the bearing member 23 advantageously has a lateral cross-sectional configuration that conforms essentially to the cross-sectional configuration of the interior of the channel-shaped longitudinal connector member 13 so that the bearing member largely fills the interior of the connector member in the vicinity of the longitudinal recesses 24 and 25. As also shown in the drawing, the bearing member 23 advantageously extends laterally outwardly beyond the interior of the connector member 13 in which case the bearing member is formed with longitudinally extending passageways 30 and 31 that are configured to receive the rod-like bearing portions 20 and 21 of the connector member and through which these rodlike bearing portions extend as shown in FIG. 3.

The bearing member 23 disposed in the recesses 24 and 25 formed in the longitudinal edges of the hinge members 11 and 12 effectively prevents relative longitudinal movement of the two hinge members. Relative longitudinal movement of the connector member 13 with respect to the two hinge members 11 and 12 can be preventer by securing or fastening the bearing member 23 to the connector member. For example, as shown in FIG. 5a, the bearing member 23 can be provided with a set screw 33 that bears against the inner surface of the connector member 13, or the connector member 13 can be provided with a set screw 34 that bears against the adjacent surface of the bearing member 23 as shown in FIG. 5b, or the bearing member 23 can be secured to the connector member 13 by means of the pin or rivet 35 as shown in FIG. 50. Other means for securing the bearing member 23- to the connector member 13 may be employed such, for example, as by swaging or punching or adhesively connecting the parts together.

In the modification of my invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 the longitudinal thrust bearing member 37 is formed from relatively thin sheet metal that is inserted in slot-like recesses (such as the recesses 38 and 39 shown in FIG. 8) formed in the longitudinal edges of the two hinge members 11 and 12. The bearing member 37 has a roughly T-shaped lateral cross-section that conforms generally to the interior configuration of the C-shaped connector member 13 of the hinge structure. The cut away portions 40 and 41 of the bearing member 37 on either side of the leg of the T are configured to receive or accommodate the rod-like bearing portions 20 and 21 of the connector member 13, and thus these cut away portions of the bearing member 37 correspond to the longitudinal passageways 30 and 31 formed in the bearing member 23 shown in FIG. 4.

In the modification of my invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the longitudinal thrust bearing member 43 has a laterally extending thrust bearing portion 44 having roughly the same T-shaped configuration as the sheet metal bearing member 37, the bearing member 43 also being provided with a longitudinally extending shank portion 45 and a laterally extending end cover portion 46. The bearing portion 44 of the bearing member 43 fits into slot-like recesses 38 and 39 formed in the longitudinal edges of the two hinge members 11 and 12. The slot-like recesses 38 and 39 and spaced inboard from one end of the hinge members 11 and 12 a distance equivalent to the length of the shank portion 45 of the bearing member 43 so that when the bearing portion 44 is placed in the slot-like recesses 38 and 39 the end cover portion 44 covers the ends of the longitudinal edges of the hinge members as shown in FIG. 9. Moreover, after the bearing member 43 is positioned as shown, the channel-shaped connector member 13- is moved or slid longitudinally as also indicated in FIG. 9 so that it completely covers and conceals the shank portion 45 of the bearing member. When the connector member 13 is moved longitudinally to conceal the shank portion 45, the inwardly turned ends 20 and 21 of the connector member (which are not visible in FIG. 9) contact the laterally extending end cover portion 46 of the bearing member thereby preventing further longitudinal movement of the connector member 13. It will be appreciated, of course, that a bearing member 43 can be provided at only one end or at both ends of the hinge structure, as desired.

In an alternative version of the embodiment of my invention shown in FIG. 8 the bearing member 43 is formed with T-shaped bearing portions 44 at each end of the shank portion 45 rather than with a bearing portion at one end and a cover portion at the other end. In this version of the device the two T-shaped bearing portions are disposed in corresponding pairs of slot-like recesses formed in the longitudinal edges of the hinge members 11 and 12, the pairs of recesses being spaced apart a distance equivalent of the length of the shank portion 45 of the bearing member. As before, when the bearing portions are positioned in the said pairs of slot-like recesses, the channel-shaped connector member covers the shank portion 45 of the bearing member.

The hinge structure shown in FIG. 10 comprises two independently rotatable hinge members 51 and 52 rotatably hinged together by a longitudinally extending connector member 53 having a dumb-bell-shaped crosssectional configuration. The adjacent longitudinal edges of the hinge members 51 and 52 are formed with rodlike bearing portions 54 and 55, respectively, which are rotatably received in channel-like bearing portions 56 and 57 of the connector member 53. The longitudinal thrust bearing member 58 of my invention is formed with a longitudinally extending dumb-bell-shaped passageway 59 the cross-section of which conforms to the cross-sectional configuration of the longitudinal connector member 53. The bearing member 58 is received in longitudinally coextensive recesses 60 and 61 formed in the longitudinal edges of the hinge members 51 and 52, and the longitudinal connector member 53 extends through the longitudinal passageway 59 formed in the bearing member 58 in the manner previously described. Also aspreviously described, the upper and lower surfaces of the recesses 60 and 61 formed in the hinge members 51 and 52 slidably bear against the corresponding upper and lower bearing surfaces of the bearing member 58, thereby preventing relative longitudinal movement of the two hinge members. In addition, relative longitudinal movement of the longitudinal connector member 53 with respect to the bearing member 58 may be prevented by means of a set screw or rivet or the like corresponding in function to the set screws 33 and 34 and rivet 35 shown in FIG. 5 of the drawing.

In an alternative version of the embodiment of my hinge structure shown in FIG. 10, the location of the rod-like bearing portions 54 and 55 and the channel-like bearing portions 56 and 57 are reversed. That is, the adjacent longitudinal edges of the hinge members 51 and 52 are formed with channel-like bearing portions resembling the channel-like bearing portions 56 and 57, and the longitudinal edges of the dumbbell-shaped connector member 53 are formed with rod-like bearing portions resembling the bearing portions 54 and 55 shown in FIG. 10. In this version of my hinge structure, the longitudinally extending passageway 59 formed in the bearing member 58 is modified slightly to conform to the new cross-sectional configuration of the modified connector member 53. In addition, the connector member 5'3 can be modified so that it will have a channel-shaped cross-sectional configuration, rather than a dumb-bell-shaped configuration, resembling the channel-shaped connector member shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the later version of my hinge structure, either the longitudinal connector member or the hinge members may be formed with channel-like bearing portions in which mating rod-like bearing portions are received in the manner previously described, and the bearing member may be fastened to the channelshaped connector member by means of set screws or rivets or the like as also previously described.

In the hinge structure shown in FIG. 11 the two hinge members 63 and 64 are rotatably joined together by means of the rod-like longitudinal bearing portion 65 formed along the longitudinal edge of hinge member 63 and the channel-like bearing portion 66 formed in the adjacent longitudinal edge of hinge member 64. T o prevent relative longitudinal movement of the hinge members 63 and 64, a longitudinal thrust bearing member 67 is positioned in longitudinally co-extensive recesses 68 and 69 formed in the longitudinal edges of the two hinge members. The bearing member 67 comprises a thrust hearing portion 70 adapted to be received in the aforementioned longitudinally co-extensive recesses 68 and 69 and a shank portion 71 which is secured, for example by means of a screw, to one of the hinge members of the hinge structure.

The embodiment of my improved hinge structure shown in FIG. 12 is a variant of the hinge structure of FIG. 1 of the drawing. In this embodiment of my invention the longitudinally coextensive recesses 74 and 75, which are adapted to receive the longitudinal thrust bearing member 76, are formed in the adjacent longitudinal edges of the two hinge members 11 and 12 at one end of the hinge members. The bearing member 76 is provided with a flange portion 77 which not only provides a neat and attractive cover for the end of the hinge structure but in addition helps prevent relative longitudinal movement of the two hinge members with respect to each other and with respect to the connector member 13. Moreover, in a modification of the embodiment my improved hinge structure shown in FIG. 12 the bearing member 76 may be disposed on one end of a standard pair of hinge members 11 and 12 (that is, hinge members which do not have recesses 74 and 75) in which case the channel-shaped connector member 13 extends beyond the flush ends of the hinge members 11 and 12 a distance equal to the length of the internal portion of the bearing member 76.

From the foregoing description of the improved hinge structure of my invention it will be seen that I have made an important contribution to the art to which my invention relates.

I claim:

1. In a pinless hinge structure comprising two longitudinally extending hinge members rotatably joined along adjacent longitudinal edges, said hinge members normally being longitudinally movable with respect to each other, and a longitudinally extending hinge connector member rotatably engaging said hinge members adjacent said longitudinal edges thereof, the improvement which comprises providing longitudinal thrust bearing means engaging the adjacent longitudinal edges of said hinge members and adapted to prevent longitudinal movement of the hinge members with respect to each other, said longitudinal thrust bearing means comprising an essentially solid bearing member removably disposed in longitudinally co-extensive lateral recesses formed in the adjacent longitudinal edges of each rotatably' hinge member, the upper and lower surfaces of the recess formed in each of said longitudinal edges slidably contacting upper and lower bearing surfaces of the bearing member disposed therein whereby longitudinal movement of one hinge member with respect to another hinge member is substantially prevented, the bearing member having a cross-sectional configuration that conforms essentially to the crosssectional configuration of the longitudinal connector member, said bearing member being formed with a longitudinally extending passageway through. which extends at least a portion of said longitudinal connector member.

2. The hinge structure according to claim 1 in which the adjacent longitudinal edges of the two hinge members are formed with longitudinally extending mutually intermeshed gear segments and in which the hinge connector member is a C-shaped channel-like member the inwardly turned ends of which are formed with longitudinally extending rod-like bearing portions that rotatably contact and engage the gear segments of said hinge members at the axes of rotation thereof.

3. The hinge structure according to claim 1 in which the adjacent longitudinal edges of the two hinge members are formed with longitudinally extending rod-like bearing portions and in which the two longitudinal edges of the hinge connector member are each formed with a longitudinally extending channel-lilre bearing portion in each of which channel-like bearing portions one of said rod-like bearing portions is rotatably received.

4. The hinge structure according to claim 1 in which the hinge connector member is secured to the thrust hearing member.

5. The hinge structure according to claim 1 in which the thrust bearing member has a T-shaped lateral crosssection.

6. The hinge structure according to claim 1 in which the bearing member comprises a thrust bearing portion having a T-shaped lateral cross-section, a longitudinally extending shank portion and an end cover portion disposed substantially parallel to the T-shaped thrust bearing portion.

7. The hinge structure according to claim 1 in which the thrust bearing member is disposed in longitudinal coextensive recesses formed in the adjacent longitudinal edges of said hinge members, said recesses being located at one end of said hinge structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1957 Gibbs 16--17l BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

DORIS L. TROUTMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

